PREMISE: No. 2 seed San Diego State's two losses this season came against Brigham Young and Jimmer Fredette, who lit up the Aztecs for 68 points on 47 percent shooting in those games. Now San Diego State, which had never won an NCAA tournament game until this month, must deal with No. 3 seed Connecticut's star Kemba Walker in the West Regional semifinals on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif. Walker, a 6-foot-1 junior, is almost as prolific as Fredette. He is averaging 23.5 points, coming off a 33-point outburst against Cincinnati and also setting up teammates (17 assists in two tournament games). Walker has lifted UConn to its 16th appearance in the Sweet 16. The Aztecs counter with one of the nation's top frontcourts in Kawhi Leonard (15.6 points, 10.6 rebounds), Malcolm Thomas (11.4, 8.1) and Billy White (10.1 points). And their coach, Steve Fisher, has been here before - he guided Michigan to the national title 22 years ago.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, CBS. POINT SPREAD: San Diego State by 1

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (34-2): The Aztecs got by Temple 71-64 in double overtime in the Round of 32 as the frontcourt delivered all 17 points after regulation. Leonard never found his rhythm, but made all six of his free throws in the overtime periods. White produced 16 points and 13 rebounds, and has 19 offensive rebounds in the last three games, starting with the Mountain West title game win over BYU. Senior D.J. Gay (11.0 points, 3.2 assists) is an underrated point guard who has 10 assists and one turnover in his last three outings. Out of some 340 Division I teams, San Diego State ranks 35th in shooting (46.7 percent), 12th in field goal percentage defense (39.3) and 12th in rebounding margin (plus-6.9).

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (28-9): Conventional wisdom said the Huskies would be drained from winning five games in five days to capture the Big East tournament. They sure didn't look tired in their first two NCAA games, demolishing Bucknell 81-52 and stifling Cincinnati 69-58. While Walker deservedly gets most of the attention, 6-9 sophomore Alex Oriakhi (11 rebounds against the Bearcats) and freshman guard Jeremy Lamb (seven straight games scoring in double figures) lead a fine supporting cast. UConn is holding opponents to 39.9 percent shooting, and outrebounding them by 4.8 per game.

UP NEXT: The winner will meet Duke or Arizona on Saturday.

PREDICTION: San Diego State 70, UConn 68. With the game in Anaheim, the Aztecs should have a big homecourt advantage. The crowd and San Diego State's balance - five players average nine or more points - will be just enough to overcome another 30-point night from Walker, and get the Aztecs into the Elite Eight.